Rainey Street District

amber gugino | May 23, 2012 | 12 Comments

Fishing Pier Coming to Lady Bird Lake in Rainey Street, Downtown Austin

The focus is on inclusion. That’s what Nicole Harmon of Core Health Foundation, a non-profit spin-off of Core Health (a for-profit facility focusing on rehabilitation of those suffering with brain injuries), tells me. The project is a fishing pier, located on the northern shore of Lady Bird Lake, just south of the Holiday Inn off I-35 in the Rainey Street District. The project has been in the works for over 8-years, but was officially approved in 2010, and construction is expected to be complete in 2013. And while the driver and primary purpose of this project is for [Read more...]

Filed Under: austin lifestyle, austin neighborhoods, austin parks, Austin photos, images, development, downtown austin, Downtown Austin Districts, lady bird lake, life, life in austin, miscellaneous, Rainey Street District, Real Estate, urban family

Jude Galligan | April 18, 2012 | 16 Comments

Sutton Company Proposes Towers In Rainey Street District

The Statesman broke the story publicly yesterday that the Sutton Company intends to build a multi-tower 40+ story mixed-use project at the north end of the Rainey Street District. The assemblage includes 9-10 lots wrapping Rainey Street, Driskill Street, and East Ave. We’ve mocked-up a footprint of the site (below).

The renderings show two point towers, both over 40 stories, and a third office tower in the background. As a Downtown/Rainey Street neighbor, I’d love to see this project happen. This is exactly the type of concept envisioned for Rainey back when zoning was changed to CBD.

This is the second major residential concept proposed for the Rainey Street District within the past couple of months. The other being the Austin Skyhouse proposed by Andrews Urban/Novare. If built, a portion of the ad valorem taxes from these projects would contribute to the Waller Creek TIF district.

Filed Under: austin towers and high rises, development, downtown austin, Downtown Austin Districts, Downtown Austin lofts, condos, apartments, Rainey Street District, Real Estate

amber gugino | April 15, 2012 | 4 Comments

2012 Downtown Living Tour – Showcasing Downtown Austin

Next Sunday, April 22, 2012, from 11am-5pm, is the 2012 Downtown Living Tour. The Tour is a showcase of homes located in Downtown Austin, and is put on by the Downtown Austin Neighborhood Association (it’s DANA’s only fundraiser, and helps keep the organization chugging throughout the rest of the year). A portion of proceeds this year will also go to The Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM).

The 2012 Downtown Living Tour has [Read more...]

Filed Under: 2nd Street District, 6th Street Historic & Entertainment District, austin condos, austin neighborhoods, austin news, austin open houses, austin retail, austin towers, austin towers and high rises, Congress Avenue District, downtown austin, Downtown Austin lofts, condos, apartments, high rises, life in austin, Railyard District, Rainey Street District

amber gugino | March 6, 2012 | 7 Comments

Javelina Bar: MENU, Pictures, Short Review, and a Call for Action

Another bar, ahem – excuse me – I mean to say a real restaurant (golly gee!) has finally opened in the Rainey District of Downtown Austin. Yes – reader – you may be sensing sarcasm. That’s because even though, yes, Javelina Bar has a kitchen and a menu – making them technically a restaurant – and even though the owners are touting that they are different than the other bars in the district because they have said kitchen – there’s no mistaking that this place totally feels more like a bar than a restaurant – I mean, it even has the word “Bar” in its name.

But – I will say, I think it’s a step in the right direction. A nice, large step in the right direction.

I visited the brand new establishment yesterday, had a couple of brews and a fairly delish veggie burger (they put queso on it, too!). Nice, clean, pseudo-rustic environment. Understandably, they were working out some kinks, but I will say, the food was alright and the service was super friendly (shout-out to bartender / server Amanda!).

So, here’s the menu – in all of its glory: [Read more...]

Filed Under: austin restaurant reviews, downtown austin, Rainey Street District

Jude Galligan | March 2, 2012 | 4 Comments

A Smarter Route? Proposed Urban Rail Along Trinity Street

Transportation wonks: is there something different about the conceptual urban rail alignment depicted in the latest flyer from Project Connect?

The portion of the rail system south of 4th Street is showing that the preferred alignment (solid orange lines) is not Congress Ave, rather it’s humble ol’ Trinity Street.

On previous maps, I recall Congress Ave having the bold lines and Trinity Street relegated to a hypothetical dashed line. This is a subtle change on paper, but a potentially big improvement to ridership and economic impact.

I presume a Trinity alignment would have a stop at/near Waller Creek. Imagine connecting businesses and visitors to the Rainey Street district, Waller Creek, the Boat House, the MACC, the Convention Center. There’s greater density of residential and recreational use. There’s more [taxable] development opportunity along the Trinity alignment.

Jude Galligan | January 10, 2012 | 20 Comments

New Rainey Street Apartment Tower Proposed: The Austin Skyhouse

According to an administrative site plan application filed with the city, the Austin Skyhouse is a proposed downtown Austin mixed-use apartment tower at 47 Rainey Street. If built, the tower could deliver 15,000ft of retail and 320 apartments to downtown Austin’s red hot rental market.

The ~1.4 acre site, shown below, is directly north of the Legacy apartments (187 units), and across the street from the Milago Condos (240 units). The CBD zoned property has long been expected to be developed into a tower, so this shouldn’t be received with much surprise.

According to the application: “The applicant is proposing to construct Apt. Tower/Retail and Garage/Retail with associated improvements.” The applicant is familiar to downtown Austin development – Novare/Andrews Urban – the same team who developed the successful 360 Condos.

Since Milago has the dominant lake and city view for the first twelve floors, we’ll hopefully see a tall tower over podium design where most of the units’ views would clear Milago’s roof. Given the parking challenges in the Rainey Street district, perhaps we’ll see extra parking included in the design which could be available to visitors to the neighborhood.

This is the latest of several proposed downtown Austin high rise projects catering to renters. Riverside Resources is under construction of their 20 story building at 3rd Street & San Jacinto. 7 Rio looks like it is being repurposed as a rental product and could break ground this year.

(UPDATE 1: Novare is building the Skyhouse concept in Atlanta on what looks to be a similarly configured site. UPDATE 2: we’ve confirmed the tower will be 23 stories and could break ground as early as May.)

Jude Galligan | December 5, 2011 | Leave a Comment

Budare’s Serves Breakfast To Rainey Street Residents Hungry For More

The newest addition to Rainey Street’s eclectic mix of repurposed bungalows is a backyard trailer named Budare’s serving … drum roll… BREAKFAST!

The sign has been up for a couple of weeks, but it was the sight this morning of my vacant refrigerator that got me motivated to walk 100 yards to a warm meal.

I ordered two visayas tortas with turkey and a bottle of water. $9.50 total and worth every penny on this cold morning.

It’s news anytime something other than a bar opens on Rainey Street and Budare’s modest menu is a welcome addition.

Budare’s is on the way to work for many of you at Milago Condos, the Shore Condos, or the Windsor apartments. You can check them out at 75 Rainey Street. EZ street parking in the morning from 6AM to 10AM. BONUS: you can call in your order at 512-487-6791. [Read more...]

Filed Under: austin neighborhoods, austin restaurant reviews, austin small business, austin trailer food, Rainey Street District

Jude Galligan | October 20, 2011 | 3 Comments

10 Minutes From Rainey Street

Starting in downtown Austin’s Rainey Street neighborhood, we approximate the distance we can travel by foot, by bike, or by car in 10 minutes.

You can try it, too, after the jump.

Jude Galligan | August 21, 2011 | 5 Comments

Rainey Street Stakeholders Hug It Out Over OMV Permits

Despite the trend of obstructionist politics, private parties interested in progress will collaborate and compromise to reach an acceptable solution. Seeking a resolution to Outdoor Music Venue compatibility in downtown Austin’s Rainey Street District is a good example.

Rainey Street is dominantly residential. Ironically, the incredible residential density is a result of permissive CBD zoning. CBD is a sword of a zoning definition that can cut both ways. When the economy tanked, so did the opportunity for Rainey Street bungalow owners holding out for big $$$ to cash out, and they were left holding an expensive property tax bill.

When you have CBD zoning on a small mid-block lot what do you do until you can be assembled into a larger development (like this)? [Read more...]

Filed Under: austin lifestyle, austin neighborhoods, Rainey Street District Tagged With: austin bars

Jude Galligan | August 19, 2011 | Leave a Comment

Bats & Beers

The entrepreneurial spirit is alive in downtown Austin’s Shore Condos. Resident Nate Taylor and Matt Abendschein have turned their passion for ez-living, good beer, and good views into an event known simply as “Bats & Beer”.

Bats & Beers is a monthly event showcasing Austin craft brewers, and is an opportunity to gather with good people and explore the craft beer industry in Austin. Set on a pool deck overlooking Lady Bird Lake and Downtown Austin, Bats & Beers aims to connect brew masters, chefs and engaged people of Austin to explore creations and collaborations.

I like this genre of curated entertainment/leisure/dining – one of the attendees compared it to Dai Due, but for beer. Since I would typically reach for the coldest Coors Light or Shiner Bock available, it’s events like these where I learn to appreciate good craft brews.

This month featured Jeffrey Stuffings, owner/brewer of Jester King Craft Brewery, offered tastings of “Drink’in The Sunbelt” (hoppy white beer), Wytchmaker (rye India pale ale), and Black Metal (imperial stout). Next month: Austin Beerworks.

-Jude